Race game with randomly driven reel drive means

ABSTRACT

A racing game or amusement device in which racing figures are moved at varying rates of speed so that the arrival of a racing figure at a finish line is rendered completely unpredictable, and wherein the figures can be readily reset at a starting line in position to run another race with completely different results. The device comprises a simulated race track with a plurality of racing figures mounted for movement along the track. Each figure is independently moved in a manner to advance along the track by means of cords arranged to be simultaneously wound and unwound about complementary winding and rewinding reels located at the opposite ends of the track. The arrangement is such that the winding rate of each cord about its winding reel differs from that of the other cords; the several winding rates being completely unpredictable, so that the movement of the respective racing figures varies and the winning figure can not be determined in advance. The track includes a starting section, a finishing section, and one or more intermediate sections which can be interconnected between the starting and finishing sections.

United States Patent Heppes [451 Mar.21, 1972 1541 RACE GAME WITHRANDOMLY DRIVEN REEL DRIVE MEANS Aladar Heppes, 34 Great Hill Road,Ridgefield, Conn. 06877 22 Filed: Aug. 17,1970

1 1 Appl.No.: 64,464

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl.. ..273/86 G [51] Int. Cl. t ..A63f 9/14 [58] Field ofSearchr.273/86G,86F

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,413,001 11/1968 Ryan et a1..273/86 G 3,552,322 1/1971 Clowes .273/86 F 2,257,661 9/1941 Webb..273/86 G 1,510,995 10/1924 Lockyer ..273/86 G 2,093,813 9/1937Macourek... ...273/143 R 1,500,788 7/1924 Anderson ..273/86 G FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 581,623 8/1933 Germany ..273/86 G 19002 1913Great Britain ..273/86 G 504,393 12/1954 Italy ..273/86 G PrimaryExaminer-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Philip G. Hilbert [5 7] ABSTRACT Aracing game or amusement device in which racing figures are moved atvarying rates of speed so that the arrival of a racing figure at afinish line is rendered completely unpredictable, and wherein thefigures can be readily reset at a starting line in position to runanother race with completely different results. The device comprises asimulated race track with a plurality of racing figures mounted formovement along the track. Each figure is independently moved in a mannerto advance along the track by means of cords arranged to besimultaneously wound and unwound about complementary winding andrewinding reels located at the opposite ends of the track. Thearrangement is such that the winding rate of each cord about its windingreel differs from that of the other cords; the several winding ratesbeing completely unpredictable, so that the movement of the respectiveracing figures varies and the winning figure can not be determined inadvance. The track includes a starting section, a finishing section, andone or more intermediate sections which can be interconnected betweenthe starting and finishing sections.

19 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SI/FIG. 19x56 RACE GAME WITH RANDOMLY DRIVENREEL DRIVE MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Other simulated racinggames are known where the results of any given race are unpredictable.It has been found that such games are of a complicated construction andquite expensive to fabricate.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide a simulated racinggame or amusement device in which the arrival of the racing figures at asimulated finish line is rendered totally unpredictable, the result ofwhich is not dependent upon any fixed, predetermined, predictable,mechanical movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simulated racing gameor amusement device in which the racing figures are constructed andarranged to simulate lifelike animations and in which the length of theracing track, the set up, and the speed are proportional to the size ofthe racing figures to simulate realism in actual race in every manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simulated racing gameor amusement device in which the length of the racing track may bevaried at the will of the operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a racing game oramusement device having figure moving operations which are basedentirely on chance and rendered entirely unpredictable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a racing game oramusement device in which the figures may be readily reset andrepositioned for repeated racing events in a simple and expedientmanner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a racing game in whichthe respective racing figures are automatically stopped in theirrelative positions when the lead figure has crossed a simulated finishline.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simulated racing gameor amusement device which is relatively simple in construction,economical to fabricate and is positive in operatron.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects and other featuresand advantages are attained by a game comprising a track means whichincludes a starting end section, a finishing end section and one or moreintermediate raceway sections. A plurality of racing figures of desiredconfiguration are arranged for random movement along the track means.Individual motivation or drive of the respective racing figures isattained by a pair of complementary winding and rewinding reels locatedadjacent the end portions of the track means with a flexible cordinterconnected therebetween, the number of complementary pairs ofwinding and rewinding reels correspond in number to the number of racingfigures utilized. Each racing figure is connected to its respective cordby a friction slip connection.

The respective winding reels are connected in driving relationship to asuitable motor means, which when energized will cause the winding reelsto wind the cord thereon as the cord is being unwound from the rewindreels, thereby advancing the racing figure along the track at a speedcorresponding to the winding rate of the cord. To randomly vary thespeed at which the racing figures are linearly moved along the track ameans is provided to vary or effect the winding rate of the individualcords about their respective winding reels. The manner in which therespective cords are wound about their respective winding reel is suchthat the rate of movement of racing figures is continuously varied sothat the results of a given race are rendered totally unpredictable.Means are also provided to effect the termination of a given race whenthe lead racing figure has reached a predetermined point.

A means operatively associated with each cord is provided to effect orimpart animation to the racing figures during the running of aparticular race. If desired, sound effect means can also be incorporatedin the device and rendered operative during the running of the race. Toreset the racing figures to a starting position in preparation of the:game for another race, the cord is rewound about the rewind reel. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view assembly of the simulated racing devicehaving parts broken away.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the racing game or device of FIG. Ihaving parts shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded detail view of a racing figure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the body of the racing Figure of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a detail of construction of the racing figure of FIGS. 4 and5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view taken along line 7-7 on FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a modified racing figure.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a detail of construction taken along line10-10 on FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein a racing game oramusement device 20 embodying the present invention. The racing game 20comprises a simulated track structure 21 which includes a starting endsection 21A, a finishing end section 21B, and one or more intermediateraceway or runway sections 21C. The adjacent sections are each providedwith complementary mating connections, as for example, pin and holeconnections 22, 23, whereby the respective sections may be detachablyconnected in tandem relationship. For example, the raceway section 21Cmay be provided with a pair of projecting pins 22 extending beyond oneend and complementary holes 23 on the other end which are adapted to bereceived in mating relationship with complementary pins 22 and holes 23formed in the next adjacent track section as indicated. It will be, ofcourse, understood that one or more raceway sections 21C may beinterconnected in tandem between the starting section 21A and thefinishing section 21B.

The starting section 21A comprises a base 24 having suitably mountedthereon a rewinding shaft 25 supported between spaced bearing supports26-26. A crank or operating lever 27 is fixedly connected to one end ofthe rewinding shaft 25 to effect the operation thereof, as will behereinafter described.

A plurality of rewind reel means 28 .are rotatably journaled to theshaft. Each reel 28 includes a pair of spaced flanges 28A and aconnected hub 28B. The rewind reels 28 are frictionally mounted on theshaft 25 to be drivingly connected to the rewind shaft for rotation inone direction, and free to rotate independently of the shaft 25 and eachother when rotated in the opposite direction.

Ratchet means 29 is journaled on shaft 25 adjacent one end thereof andcomprises a ratchet wheel 29A fixedly secured to the shaft for rotationtherewith when said shaft is rotated by means of crank 27. Cooperativelyassociated with the ratchet wheel 29A is an operating pawl 29B which isarranged to engage the periphery of the ratchet wheel.

It will be noted that the ratchet teeth of ratchet wheel 29A and pawl29B cooperate in a manner such that shaft 25 rotates in a rewindingdirection only; such direction being counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS.2, 10. If desired, ratchet wheel 29A may be formed on the outer sidethereof with a sound track in the form of grooves. A suitable stylus,connected to a sound diaphragm, not shown, may be arranged to move inthe grooves to thereby reproduce desired sound effects suitably recordedtherein.

Connected to the starting end section 21A of track 21, is a startinggate 30, simulating actual starting gates found at horse racing tracks.Such a starting gate will include partitions to simulate stalls for therespective racing figures, hereinafter described.

The starting gate 30 is pivotally mounted along its lower rear edge, onstarting end section 21A by means of a pivot 31. The starting gate 30includes a rear wall 30A against which each of the racing figures 32, tobe herein described, are abutted in order to set or align the racingfigures 32 in starting position across the track 21.

Connected to the starting section 21A by suitable interconnectors 22, 23is one or more lengths of a raceway section 21C. As shown, the racewaysection 21C may be of any desired length of one or more units which maybe detachably secured together, as for example by a pin and slotconnection as described. In the illustrated form of the invention itwill be noted that the end of the starting end portion 21A may beprovided with suitable holes 23 adapted to receive projecting pins orconnectors 22 of the raceway section 21C. In assembling the racewaysection 21C to the starting end section 21A, a player need only toposition the pins 22 in the complementary holes 23.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 the raceway section 21C includes a memberhaving formed therein a plurality of longitudinally extendingchannelways 33 adapted to receive the base portion 34 of a racing figure32 as will be hereinafter described. A longitudinally extending slot 35,coextensive to the raceway section 21, is formed in the upper surface ofthe raceway section 21C in communication with the channelway 33.Preferably the elongated slots 35 formed in the raceway sections 21C aredisposed coincident to the center line of the respective rewind reelmeans 28. In the illustrated form of the invention six such channelways33 and associated slots 35 are provided in the raceway section 21C, onefor each racing figure. However, it will be understood that any desirednumber of channelways 33 and associated slots 35 may be formed in theraceway depending upon the number of figures which are desired to beraced. One or more raceway sections 21C may be interconnected togetherin tandem by means of the pin and slot connection to define a track ofpredetermined length.

Connected to the endmost raceway section 21C is a finishing end section218. The inner edge of the finishing end section 218 is adapted to abutthe end of the endmost raceway section and connected thereto bycomplementary pin and hole connectors 22 and 23. A portion of thefinishing end section 218 as well as a portion of the starting section21A are provided with complementary channels 338 to form a continuationof channel 33 of the adjacent raceway section 21C. Slots 35 also extendonto the finishing section 21B as indicated at 35A. On the finishingsections 218 there is rotatably journaled in suitable end bearings amain or winding shaft 37.

Mounted on the winding shaft 37 are a plurality of winding reels 38. Thenumber of winding reels 38 journaled on the winding shaft 37 correspondsin number to the number of rewind wheels 28 mounted on the startingsection 21A of the tracks 21. Each of the respective winding reels 38comprises a pair of spaced flanges 38A, 38B interconnected by a hub 38Cof nonuniform diameter. That is, the diameter of the hub 38C varieslaterally thereof. In the illustrated form of the invention a hub 38Cinterconnected between the end flanges 38A, 38B tapers inwardly from oneflange 38A toward 38B, i.e., hub 38C is conical, or it may be steppeddown, or made irregular. One flange 38B of the respective reels 38 isfurther provided with a plurality of teeth 38D formed on thecircumferential edge thereof to define a gear drive for the respectivereels 38 relative to shaft 37. It will be understood that the diameterof the geared flange 38B of the respective reels 38 are of uniformdiameter having equal number of gear teeth spaced therearound. Therespective winding reels 38 are each frictionally mounted on shaft 37 soas to be independently rotatable thereon. Preferably the friction torqueof the rewind reels 28 on its shaft is substantially twice thefrictional torque on the winding reels 38 and its shaft 37. The torquedifferential facilitates resetting the figures as will be hereindescribed.

A suitable motor means 40 is connected in driving relationship with theshaft 37 to effect the drive arrangement the winding shaft 37. In theillustrated form of the invention the motor means 40 comprises anelectric motor, the armature or output spindle 41 thereof is connectedor coupled in driving relationship to the winding shaft 37. Thearrangement is such that whenever the motor 40 is energized, the windingshaft 37 is rotated. Mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith is adriving gear 39 by which the drive of reels 38 is effected through aclutch means as will be hereinafter described.

Stretched between and arranged to wind about the complementary pair ofreels 28 and 38 is a flexible cord 42. For example, a monofilament cordor fishing line is adapted to be wound and unwound accordingly about therespectively aligned reels 28, 38. As shown in FIG. 1, the cord 42extends from the rewind reel 28 through the associated channels 33, 33Bof the track 21 onto the winding reel 38. It will be noted that at theentrance and exit ends 33C, 33D of the channel 33, guide means 33B areprovided to align the cord and maintain the cord 42 parallel to theassociated channel.

A plurality of racing figures 32 are provided, each being connected toone of the cords 42 extending between the rewind reel 28 and the windingreel 38. Referring more specifically to FIGS. 4 to 6, each racing figure32 comprises a base portion 34 which is adapted to be received in achannelway 33. Connected to the figure base portion 34 and extendingupwardly through the associated slot 35 of a given channelway 33 is apedestal means 43. The pedestal means 43 is preferably formed oftransparent material and is provided with a pair of spaced verticalslits, 43A, 438, by which it may be frictionally secured in sliprelationship to an associated cord 42. As seen in FIG. 7 the cord 42 isthreaded through the slits 43A, 43B to frictionally secure it to thecord.

The racing figure 32 may take any form, e.g., an automobile, a boat, adog, a horse, an airplane, or any other form associated with racing. Inthe illustrated embodiment the racing figure 32 comprises a race horse.The body 44 of the horse is provided with a slot 44A to frictionallyreceive the upper end of the pedestal. The limbs of the horse,comprising the forelegs 45 and the hindlegs 46 are pivotally mounted tothe body so that each may pivot or swing relative to the body. Also asimulated figure of a jockey 47 may also be positioned on the horse body44 and mounted thereon so that the jockey may rock relative to thehorse.

The arrangement is such that the racing figure 32 will move with thecord 42 as the cord is wound and unwound about the respective reels aswill be hereinafter described. Also it will be noted that figure 32 isfree to slip relative to the cord 42 in the event a biasing force isapplied on the racing figure, as in resetting the racing figures, aswill be hereinafter described.

Also mounted on the finishing end section 21B is an animation means 48to impart animation to the respective racing figures 32. As shown, theanimation means 48 comprises a shaft 49, rotatably journaled betweensuitable end supports. Connected to one end of the animation shaft 49 isa pulley or sprocket 50, which in turn is connected in drivingrelationship by a flexible belt or chain 51 to a driven pulley orsprocket 52 secured to the main drive shaft 37. Accordingly it will benoted that when the main drive shaft 37 is rotated upon actuation of themotor 40, the animation shaft 49 will be driven accordingly.

Mounted along the animation shaft 49 are a plurality of eccentric cams53, each being mounted in an out-of-phase relationship along the lengthof the shaft as indicated in FIG. 1. The arrangement is such that aportion of the cam 53 will engage the flexible cords 42, to which therespective racing figures are secured, so that in operation, theeccentricity of the animation cams 53 will impart a vibration frequencyto the flexible cord which in turn imparts animation to the racingfigure being pulled by the cord during the operation of the race. Thevibration thus imparted to the cord 42 will cause the legs of the horseto swing freely relative to the body.

A cam shaft 54 is also journaled on track section 218. On shaft 54 thereare connected a series of cam means 55 to control or guide the lay ofthe convolutions of the cord 42 being wound about hub 38C of the windingreels 38. In the illustrated form of the invention the cam means 55comprises a roller having a cam groove 56. A roller cam groove 56 isassociated with each winding reel 38. Also the arrangement of the camgrooves 56 is such that they are disposed in out-ofphase relationship.

cooperatively associated with each cam means 55 is an oscillating cordguide 57. As best seen in FIG. 1 the cord guide comprises a horizontallydisposed lever 57A which is pivoted to the end section 21B intermediatethe ends thereof about pivot 58. One end of the cord guide 57 isprovided with a cam follower 59 to follow in the cam groove 56. Theother end of the lever 57 extends forwardly of the associated windingreel 38 and is provided with an upstanding portion 60 formed with anotch 61 for receiving the cord 42. It will be apparent that rotation ofthe cam means 55 transmits an oscillatory or lateral movement to thecord guide 57. The lateral movement of the guide 57 in turn guides thecord laterally of the hub. Because of the nonuniform diameter of the hub38C, the rate at which the cord winds thereon will vary. Since each cammeans or groove 56 is disposed in out-of-phase relationship the rate atwhich each cord winds upon its respective winding reel 38 will vary inan exaggerated manner with respect to one another in an unpredictablemanner. Because the winding varies with each cord the linear movement ofthe cord 42 and the associated racing figure 32 connected varies in anunpredictable manner with respect to one'another.

As best seen in FIG. 1 the drive for the cam shaft 54 is effected by agear train or reduction gear unit 63, the input 64 of which isoperatively connected to the winding shaft 37 and the output 65 to thecam shaft 54.

To effect the simultaneous drive of the respective winding reels 38 toadvance the racing figures 32 along the trackway, a clutch means 66 isprovided. In the illustrated embodiment, the clutch means 66 comprisesan elongated clutch gear 67 journaled on a pivoting bracket 68 formovement toward the clutch driving gear 39 and the reel driving gears38B of the respective winding reels 38. An actuator 69 is pivotallymounted to the frame of track section 21B for effecting actuation of theclutch gear 67 between operative and inoperative positions. The actuator69 is pivotally mounted at 70 and is operative to permit movement atbracket 68 and the clutch gear 67 carried thereon into meshing andunmeshing relationship with gears 39 and 3813. When actuator 69 is movedto an operative position, the clutch gear 67 is moved into meshingengagement with the driving gear 39 mounted on the winding shaft 37. Thedriving gear 39 when the motor is energized in turn effects the drive ofthe clutch gear 67 and being in meshing relationship with each of therespective drive gears 38B of the winding reel 38, effects the drive ofthe latter. Accordingly the winding reels are each simultaneously drivenabout the winding shaft 37 to effect the winding of the respective cords42 thereon and the advancement of the racing figures along the trackaccordingly. Because of the variance in the rate at which the respectivecords 42 are wound upon the hubs 38C of the respective winding reels 38,the linear speed of the racing figure connected to the cord will varyaccordingly.

Referring to FIG. 9, the clutch gear 67 is journaled between ends of ayoke type bracket 68. The bracket is pivotally mounted about pivots 68Afor carrying the clutch gear 67 toward and away from the driving gear 39and the reel gear 388. It will be noted that springs 688 connectedbetween the frame of the track and the bracket 68 normally tend to urgethe clutch gear 66 into meshing engagement with gears 39 and 38C. Theactuator 69 is pivoted to the frame of the track so that in the verticalposition, indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 9, it overcomes the bias ofsprings 688 to disengage the clutch gear 66. When the actuator 69 isdisplaced to an angular position, the springs 68B cause the bracket tobias the clutch gear 66 into engagement with driving gear 39 and gears38B of the reels 38.

Means, generally indicated at 72, is provided for terminating a givenrace when one of the figures 32, i.e., the lead figure, has crossed asimulated finish line 71. Such means 72 comprises a switch 73 in circuitwith electric motor 40. Switch 73 is located in track portion 218 andhas a switch actuator 74 associated therewith. A knifelike operator 75is disposed in each of the track slots 35 for movement upon engagementthereof by any of the leading figures 32. The operators 75 are pivotallymounted on a pivot rod 76 and one of the operators 75 is arranged toengage the switch actuator 74 when any of the operators 75 is depressedby the leading figure 32. This causes the microswitch 73 to be operatedto deenergize motor 40, thereby stopping the movement of all figures 32and leaving them in their several finish positions.

To reset the figures 32 at the end of a given race, the actuator 69 ismoved to disengage clutch gear 67 from the reels 38, to allow the sameto rotate individually for rewinding. The crank arm 27 is then rotatedclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, to rewind the cords about reels 28 and tothereby reposition the racing figures 32 in the starting gate 30. As therewinding shaft 25 is rotated for rewinding, each figure 32 is returnedto its starting position abutting the rear portion 30A of the startinggate. Because of the friction slip connection between the racing figure32 and its respective cord 42 it will be noted that each of therewinding reels can be rotated or driven even though the racing figureassociated therewith has abutted against the rear starting gate. Thusthe friction slip connection between the racing figure 32 and itsdriving cords enables each figure to be returned to an aligned positionat the starting end, even though the figures are misaligned at thefinish. Because the friction torque of reels 28 relative to their shaft25 is greater than the torque between. reels 38 and their shaft 37 therewinding of the cord about reels 28 is rendered possible when the crank27 is actuated. The operation of the game is as follows:

With the racing figures 32 properly aligned at the starting position,i.e., the starting gate 30, the switch energizing the motor is actuated.When the circuit to the motor 40 is closed the main drive or windingshaft 37 and associated drive gear 39 is rotated. As the clutch gear 67is normally disengaged, the winding shaft 37 will rotate independentlyor without effecting the drive of the winding reels 38 thereon.Actuation of the clutch operator 69 will cause the gear clutch 66 to bemoved into meshing engagement with the driving gear 39 and each of thereel gears 388. The clutch gear 66 being disposed in meshingrelationship with drive gear 39 and the driven gears 38B of therespective winding reels 38 effects the rotation of winding reels 38causing the cords 42 to be wound upon the respective hubs 38C. The mainshaft 37 being connected in driving relationship to the animation shaft45 will also cause the eccentrics 53 being driven to vibrate the cords42 accordingly, which in turn imparts animation to the figures 32advancing along the trackway as the cords are wound about the reels 38.Also with the cam shaft 54 connected in driving relationship to the mainshaft 37 through gear box 63 the guide arms 57 of the respective windingreels 38 are non-uniformly oscillated to guide the lay of the respectivecords laterally of the hub in a manner whereby the rate of winding ofeach cord upon the respective winding reels is varied, thereby varyingthe linear movement of the cord accordingly in a totally unpredictablemanner. Thus the figures 32 advancing along the track or raceway willvary to render the arrival of any particular racing figure at the finishline unpredictable and following no precise formula or system. Thereforethe slippage, the cross overs, accumulation, the varying laying of thecord on the winding reels, etc. all act to enhance and/or exaggerate theunpredictable result. As the lead racing figure 32 crosses the finishline it will actuate the switch operator 75 to activate switch 72 todeenergize the circuit to the motor thereby causing each of the windingreels 38 to cease rotating. Consequently the racing figures 32 attachedto the respective cords 42 will freeze or stop in the position theyfinish at the time the motor is deenergized or stopped. In this mannerthe players can tell in what order their respective racing figuresended.

To impart animation to the racing figures 32 the animation shaft 49,which is connected in driving relationship to the winding shaft 37, isrotated so that the out-of-phase eccentrics 53 thereon impart afrequency of vibration to the cords 42 disposed in contact or beingpulled thereunder. The vibration imparted to the cords 42 is transmittedtherethrough to the figures 32 connected thereto, In the case of thehorse racing figures 32 illustrated in FIG. 4-6, the vibration willimpart a swinging movement to their forelegs and hindlegs to simulate arunning motion. Similar animation may be imparted to racing figures ofother configurations.

To add additional authenticity to the race, sound effects may beprovided. Such sound effects may be derived from a ratchet wheel 77journaled on the end of animation shaft 49 to rotate therewith. Aratchet pawl 78 is associated with ratchet wheel 77 and which is mountedon the gear reduction box 63. The periphery of the ratchet wheel 77 isprovided with serrated edges or teeth 77A to impart the desiredfrequency to the pawl 78, the gear box 63 functioning also as a soundingmeans to amplify the vibration imparted to pawl 78 to thereby produce adesired sound, as for example, the galloping of horses along the track.

An alternate construction may comprise the inclusion of a sound track onthe ratchet wheel 77, which may be coopera tively associated with anstylus and diaphragm for reproducing a desired sound.

To effect the resetting of the racing figures 32 to their normalstarting position, a player need only release clutch gear 67 from thereels 38 by suitable movement of actuator 69, and to then rotate thecrank 27 to effect the rewinding of the respective cords 42 onto therespective rewind reels 28. As each of the racing figures 32 associatedwith the cords 42 are returned to the starting gate 30, the abutment ofsuch figures against the rear wall 30A of the gate will permit the cordsto slip relative thereto so that all the figures may be ultimatelyreturned to their proper starting positions. Also, all cords 42 areretracted from the winding reels 38 and are ready for the next game.When all the racing figures have been reset in lateral alignment withingate 30, the rewinding is discontinued.

With the horses or other racing figures 32 reset to their startingposition, another race may be had by repeating the cycle of operationshereinabove described. The inherent variances in the rate of movement ofthe various cords 42 due to the construction of reels 38 and theamplification of such variances by the action of the cam means 55, theresults of successive races will vary in a completely random andunpredictable manner.

What is claimed is:

l. A race simulating game comprising:

a plurality of readily detachable track sections defining a race track,

said detachable track sections including a starting end section, afinishing end section, and at least one or more intermediate runwaysections whereby the number ofintermediate sections disposed betweensaid start and finishing end sections renders the length ofthe racetrack variable,

a plurality of racing figures mounted for movement along said track ofconnected sections,

means for effecting independent drive for each of said racing figures,

said latter means including a plurality of winding means mounted on saidfinishing sections, and a corresponding number of rewinding meansmounted on said start section,

a variable length cord extended between corresponding winding andrewinding means whereby said cord can be readily extended or distendedto traverse the track formed of a predetermined number of sections,

said racing figures being frictionally secured to each of said cords toslip relative thereto when a resistance to movement thereto exceeds saidfrictional forces therebetween,

and means operatively associated with said winding means forindependently varying the winding rates of the respective winding meansin a random unpredictable manner to vary the speed at which theassociated racing figure traverses said race track from the start tofinish end sections.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means to impartanimation to said racing figures.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said track meanscomprises a channelway,

an elongated slot communicating with said channelway and extending alongsaid track means,

said racing figure including a base portion receivable in saidchannelway,

and a pedestal portion connected to said base portion and extendingupwardly through said slot.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said rewinding meansincludes:

a rewind shaft rotatably journaled on said starting end section,

a plurality of rewinding reels frictionally coupled to said shaft torotate relative to said shaft in one direction and driven by said shaftin the opposite direction,

and said winding means including a winding shaft rotatably journaled onthe finishing end portion,

and a plurality of corresponding winding reels mounted on said windingshaft,

and said rewinding reels being frictionally coupled to said rewind shaftwhereby the frictional coupling force of said Winding reels to saidwinding shaft is less than the frictional coupling force between saidrewind reels and the rewind shaft.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said latter means includecam means, and guide means being responsive to said cam means to effectlateral displacement of said cord relative to the nonuniform hub of anassociated winding reel means during a winding operation.

6. The invention as defined in claim 4 and including means for effectingthe uni-directional drive of said rewind shaft in the rewindingdirection only.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said unidirectional drivemeans comprises a ratchet wheel journaled to said shaft, and

a ratchet pawl operatively associated with said ratchet wheel to permitrotation of said ratchet wheel in the rewind direction only.

8. The invention as defined in claim 4 and including a motor meansoperatively connected to said winding shaft to effect the drive thereof.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said winding reelsinclude a pair of spaced apart flanges and a tapered hub interconnectedbetween said flanges,

one of said flanges having circumferentially spaced gear teeth formedthereon,

a driving gear fixedly secured to said winding shaft,

and a clutch gear pivotally mounted on said finishing end section forconnecting said geared flanges of said winding reels into and out ofdriving relationship with said driving gear.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including a switch meansoperatively connected in circuit with said motor,

a switch actuator operatively associated with said switch means disposedin the path of each of said racing figures whereby said motor isdeactivated when any of said racing figures effects the operation ofsaid actuator to immediately stop the action of all the racing figuresas the first figure crosses a simulated finish.

11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the means forindependently varying the winding rates of the respective winding reelscomprises a cam means rotatably journaled on said finishing end portion,

and a guide means responsive to the movement of said cam means to effectlateral displacement of said cord along the tapered hub of an associatedwinding reel.

12. A race simulating game comprising:

means defining a race track including a starting end section,

a finishing end section, and an intermediate runway section,

each of said sections being separate, readily detachable sections, aplurality of racing figures,

means for effecting the independent movement of said racing figures,

said moving means including a rewind shaft and a plurality of rewindreel means mounted on said rewind shaft,

means for frictionally mounting each of said rewind reel means forindependent rotation on said rewind shafts on said starting end portion,

means for effecting the uni-directional drive of said rewind shafts andassociated rewinding reel means in the rewind direction only,

a winding shaft and a plurality of winding reel means mounted on saidwinding shaft on the finishing end section,

means for frictionally mounting said winding reel means for independentrotation on said winding shaft,

a flexible cord connected between corresponding winding and rewindingreel means for winding and unwinding said cord therebetween,

said winding reels being frictionally coupled to the winding shaft witha frictional force less than the frictional coupling force of saidrewind reels and their rewind shaft,

said racing figures being connected to said cord for move ment alongsaid track as said cord is wound and unwound about said reel means,

said figures being frictionally secured to said cord to slip relativethereto when a resistance to the movement of said figure exceeds thefrictional force between said figure and its associated cord,

a drive means operatively connected to said winding reel means to effectthe winding of the cord thereon to ad vance said associated racingfigure along said track means,

and means operatively associated with said winding reels for varying thewinding rate of the cord upon the respective winding reel means torandomly vary the linear movement of an associated racing figure alongsaid track means in an unpredictable manner.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein each of said windingreel means includes a hub of identical nonuniform diameter.

14. The invention as defined in claim 12 and including movable guidemeans operatively associated with each of said winding reel means tolaterally guide said cord about the nonuniform hub of the associatedcomplementary reel means.

15. The invention as defined in claim 12 and including a clutch meansinterconnecting the drive means with the respective complementary reelmeans.

16 The invention as defined in claim 12 and including a meansoperatively connected to said rewind reel means to reset the racingfigures to their starting positions after each race.

17. The invention as defined in claim 12 including an electric drivemotor operatively connected to said winding shaft to effect the drivethereof, and a clutch means for connecting said winding reels in drivingconnection with said winding shaft when said motor is actuated to effectthe operation of said racing figures.

18. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said latter meansincludes a driving gear connected to said winding shaft,

a complementary driven gear operatively associated with each of saidwinding reel means,

a longitudinally extending clutch gear pivotally mounted on said finishend portion,

and means for effecting the movement of said clutch gear into and out ofengagement with said driving and driven gears.

19. A race simulating game comprising:

a plurality of readily detachable track sections defining a race track,said detachable track sections including a starting end section, afinishing end section, and one or more intermediate runway sectionswhereby the number of intermediate sections renders the length of saidtrack variable,

a plurality of racing figures mounted for movement along said track,

means for effecting independent movement of said racing figures atvariable, random, unpredictable rates of speed,

said latter means including a rewinding shaft rotatably journaled onsaid starting end section,

a uni-directional drive means operatively connected to said shaft toeffect the drive thereof in the rewinding direction only,

a plurality of rewind reels frictionally journaled on said rewind shaftto rotate independently of said shaft in the unwinding direction,

a winding shaft rotatably journaled on the finishing end section,

a corresponding number of winding reels frictionally coupled to saidwinding shaft to rotate relative to said shaft, said winding reels beingfrictionally coupled to said winding shaft with a frictional force whichis less than the frictional force coupling said rewind reels to saidrewind shaft,

a flexible cord interconnected between corresponding winding andrewinding reels,

said racing figures being frictionally secured to their respective cordto permit slippage therebetween to slip relative thereto when aresistance to the movement of said figures exceeds the frictional forcetherebetween,

an electric motor drivingly connected to said winding shaft,

a driving gear journaled on said winding shaft to rotate therewith,

said winding reels including a geared flange and a tapered hub aboutwhich said cord is wound and unwound,

the tapered hub of each winding reel being similarly constructed,

a clutch gear pivotally mounted on said finishing end section forselectively coupling said motor into and out of driving relationshipwith each ofsaid winding reels,

cam means operatively associated with each of said winding means,

guide means operatively connected with said cam means to laterally guidesaid cord about the hub of an associated winding reel to vary therelative linear speed of the figure attached to said cord,

said cam means being connected in driving relationship to said windingshaft,

means operating on said cords to impart a frequency of vibration theretoto impart animation to the racing figures attached thereto,

a switch connected in circuit with said motor,

a switch actuator disposed in the path of each of said racing figuresadjacent the finishing end portion whereby the motor is deactivated whencontact is made by the first of said racing figures reaching thefinishing end section thereby halting all of the respective game figuresin their relative race ending positions.

1. A race simulating game comprising: a plurality of readily detachabletrack sections defining a race track, said detachable track sectionsincluding a starting end section, a finishing end section, and at leastone or more intermediate runway sections whereby the number ofintermediate sections disposed between said start and finishing endsections renders the length of the race track variable, a plurality ofracing figures mounted for movement along said track of connectedsections, means for effecting independent drive for each of said racingfigures, said latter means including a plurality of winding meansmounted on said finishing sections, and a corresponding number ofrewinding means mounted on said start section, a variable length cordextended between corresponding winding and rewinding means whereby saidcord can be readily extended or distended to traverse the track formedof a predetermined number of sections, said racing figures beingfrictionally secured to each of said cords to slip relative thereto whena resistance to movement thereto exceeds said frictional forcestherebetween, and means operatively associated with said winding meansfor independently varying the winding rates of the respective windingmeans in a random unpredictable manner to vary the speed at which theassociated racing figure traverses said race track from the start tofinish end sections.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 andincluding means to impart animation to said racing figures.
 3. Theinvention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said track meanscomprises a channelway, an elongated slot communicating with saidchannelway and extending along said track means, said racing figureincluding a base portion receivable in said channelway, and a pedestalportion connected to said base portion and extending upwardly throughsaid slot.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said rewindingmeans includes: a rewind shaft rotatably journaled on said starting endsection, a plurality of rewinding reels frictionally coupled to saidshaft to rotate relative to said shaft in one direction and driven bysaid sHaft in the opposite direction, and said winding means including awinding shaft rotatably journaled on the finishing end portion, and aplurality of corresponding winding reels mounted on said winding shaft,and said rewinding reels being frictionally coupled to said rewind shaftwhereby the frictional coupling force of said winding reels to saidwinding shaft is less than the frictional coupling force between saidrewind reels and the rewind shaft.
 5. The invention as defined in claim4 wherein said latter means include cam means, and guide means beingresponsive to said cam means to effect lateral displacement of said cordrelative to the nonuniform hub of an associated winding reel meansduring a winding operation.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 4 andincluding means for effecting the uni-directional drive of said rewindshaft in the rewinding direction only.
 7. The invention as defined inclaim 6 wherein said uni-directional drive means comprises a ratchetwheel journaled to said shaft, and a ratchet pawl operatively associatedwith said ratchet wheel to permit rotation of said ratchet wheel in therewind direction only.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 4 andincluding a motor means operatively connected to said winding shaft toeffect the drive thereof.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 8 whereinsaid winding reels include a pair of spaced apart flanges and a taperedhub interconnected between said flanges, one of said flanges havingcircumferentially spaced gear teeth formed thereon, a driving gearfixedly secured to said winding shaft, and a clutch gear pivotallymounted on said finishing end section for connecting said geared flangesof said winding reels into and out of driving relationship with saiddriving gear.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including aswitch means operatively connected in circuit with said motor, a switchactuator operatively associated with said switch means disposed in thepath of each of said racing figures whereby said motor is deactivatedwhen any of said racing figures effects the operation of said actuatorto immediately stop the action of all the racing figures as the firstfigure crosses a simulated finish.
 11. The invention as defined in claim1 wherein the means for independently varying the winding rates of therespective winding reels comprises a cam means rotatably journaled onsaid finishing end portion, and a guide means responsive to the movementof said cam means to effect lateral displacement of said cord along thetapered hub of an associated winding reel.
 12. A race simulating gamecomprising: means defining a race track including a starting endsection, a finishing end section, and an intermediate runway section,each of said sections being separate, readily detachable sections, aplurality of racing figures, means for effecting the independentmovement of said racing figures, said moving means including a rewindshaft and a plurality of rewind reel means mounted on said rewind shaft,means for frictionally mounting each of said rewind reel means forindependent rotation on said rewind shafts on said starting end portion,means for effecting the uni-directional drive of said rewind shafts andassociated rewinding reel means in the rewind direction only, a windingshaft and a plurality of winding reel means mounted on said windingshaft on the finishing end section, means for frictionally mounting saidwinding reel means for independent rotation on said winding shaft, aflexible cord connected between corresponding winding and rewinding reelmeans for winding and unwinding said cord therebetween, said windingreels being frictionally coupled to the winding shaft with a frictionalforce less than the frictional coupling force of said rewind reels andtheir rewind shaft, said racing figures being connected to said cord formovement along said track as said cord is wound and unwOund about saidreel means, said figures being frictionally secured to said cord to sliprelative thereto when a resistance to the movement of said figureexceeds the frictional force between said figure and its associatedcord, a drive means operatively connected to said winding reel means toeffect the winding of the cord thereon to advance said associated racingfigure along said track means, and means operatively associated withsaid winding reels for varying the winding rate of the cord upon therespective winding reel means to randomly vary the linear movement of anassociated racing figure along said track means in an unpredictablemanner.
 13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein each of saidwinding reel means includes a hub of identical nonuniform diameter. 14.The invention as defined in claim 12 and including movable guide meansoperatively associated with each of said winding reel means to laterallyguide said cord about the nonuniform hub of the associated complementaryreel means.
 15. The invention as defined in claim 12 and including aclutch means interconnecting the drive means with the respectivecomplementary reel means.
 16. The invention as defined in claim 12 andincluding a means operatively connected to said rewind reel means toreset the racing figures to their starting positions after each race.17. The invention as defined in claim 12 including an electric drivemotor operatively connected to said winding shaft to effect the drivethereof, and a clutch means for connecting said winding reels in drivingconnection with said winding shaft when said motor is actuated to effectthe operation of said racing figures.
 18. The invention as defined inclaim 17 wherein said latter means includes a driving gear connected tosaid winding shaft, a complementary driven gear operatively associatedwith each of said winding reel means, a longitudinally extending clutchgear pivotally mounted on said finish end portion, and means foreffecting the movement of said clutch gear into and out of engagementwith said driving and driven gears.
 19. A race simulating gamecomprising: a plurality of readily detachable track sections defining arace track, said detachable track sections including a starting endsection, a finishing end section, and one or more intermediate runwaysections whereby the number of intermediate sections renders the lengthof said track variable, a plurality of racing figures mounted formovement along said track, means for effecting independent movement ofsaid racing figures at variable, random, unpredictable rates of speed,said latter means including a rewinding shaft rotatably journaled onsaid starting end section, a uni-directional drive means operativelyconnected to said shaft to effect the drive thereof in the rewindingdirection only, a plurality of rewind reels frictionally journaled onsaid rewind shaft to rotate independently of said shaft in the unwindingdirection, a winding shaft rotatably journaled on the finishing endsection, a corresponding number of winding reels frictionally coupled tosaid winding shaft to rotate relative to said shaft, said winding reelsbeing frictionally coupled to said winding shaft with a frictional forcewhich is less than the frictional force coupling said rewind reels tosaid rewind shaft, a flexible cord interconnected between correspondingwinding and rewinding reels, said racing figures being frictionallysecured to their respective cord to permit slippage therebetween to sliprelative thereto when a resistance to the movement of said figuresexceeds the frictional force therebetween, an electric motor drivinglyconnected to said winding shaft, a driving gear journaled on saidwinding shaft to rotate therewith, said winding reels including a gearedflange and a tapered hub about which said cord is wound and unwound, thetapered hub of each winding reel being siMilarly constructed, a clutchgear pivotally mounted on said finishing end section for selectivelycoupling said motor into and out of driving relationship with each ofsaid winding reels, cam means operatively associated with each of saidwinding means, guide means operatively connected with said cam means tolaterally guide said cord about the hub of an associated winding reel tovary the relative linear speed of the figure attached to said cord, saidcam means being connected in driving relationship to said winding shaft,means operating on said cords to impart a frequency of vibration theretoto impart animation to the racing figures attached thereto, a switchconnected in circuit with said motor, a switch actuator disposed in thepath of each of said racing figures adjacent the finishing end portionwhereby the motor is deactivated when contact is made by the first ofsaid racing figures reaching the finishing end section thereby haltingall of the respective game figures in their relative race endingpositions.